Two Taneytown truckers seek help from council on parking

Two local truckers told the Taneytown City Council last night that they need a speed bump on their street and parking and more turning space for their tractor-trailers.

Carnival Drive residents James Knight and James Groomes asked the council to consider putting in a speed bump on Carnival to protect children playing in the area from reckless drivers.

Many of the drivers, they said, are hot-rodding teen-agers.

"Kids are tearing through there like nuts, I mean like they're nuts," said Mr. Knight, the father of two children. "God, I'll take money out of my own pocket to get a speed bump in there."

"There's no place for those kids to play," Mr. Groomes said before the meeting. "Those people come tearing through there and don't pay attention."

Police Chief Melvin Diggs said he would increase patrols and monitor that street for speeders.

The two men also requested guidance on where to park their vehicles. They said they had been parking their tractors in their driveways and their trailers in the Taneytown Shopping Center parking lot.

"We used to park up there, but now there's a sign that says no vehicles over 1 ton," Mr. Groomes said.

City Attorney Thomas Stansfield said tractors can be parked on an individual's property. Mayor Henry I. Reindollar suggested a pullover road off Route 194 for parking of trailers.

Chief Diggs said he would talk to state highway officials about moving a white line at Route 194 and East Baltimore Street back from the intersection to allow tractor-trailers enough room to turn without endangering cars.

In other business, the council adopted the county's cable television rates and regulations. Mr. Stansfield said the council had little choice, because it agreed in December to be a rate authority with the county. As such, he said, the city must adopt the county's rules.